Method of and apparatus for manufacturing pottery ware



A June 3, 1941 w. J. MILLER v I 25243,880

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERY WARE original Filed March 1, 1929 s sheets-sheet 1 iNVENToR.

f BY 4 Hy 5 W June 3, 1941. 2,243,880 f METHOD oF AND APPARATUS RoR MANUFACTURING POTTERY WARE w. J. MILLER f original-,Filed uarh 1, 1929 INVENToR. WILL/ANJMILLER Patented June 3, 1941 RBSSUED mamon or AND mineros Foam.

rac'roamc Pomar waas william J. inner, swlmale, ra.

Original application March l, 1929, Serial No.

343,693. Divided and this application March" 20, 1936,8erialNo. 69,176

61 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for producing pottery ware, and the principal object of the same is a machine and process whereby this class of ware may be manufactured more expeditiously and .economically than with knownmachines now in use, the apparatus possessing numerous advantageous features of construction and operation inaugurated with a view toward improving the grade of ware and at the -saine time facilitating volume production with a minimum amount oi manual attention. o

This application is a division of my co-pending application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 343,693, now Patent No. 2,046,525, led March l, 1929.

In practicing the method the molds inwhich the ware is formed and fabricated are disposed on open bottom trays and the latter' mountedin series in an endless flexible, preferably continuously-driven, conveyor which progresses the molds adjacent instrumentalities for applying clay to the molds and iiggering the same. the

trays being temporarily halted thereat whine the production operation ensues, the molds being accessible from below the trays', reciprocable and rotatable chucks serving vto elevate the molds from the trays into operative adjacency to the instrumen where required.

The complete apparatus as disclosed in the parent application includes automatically op\ erated units or assemblies for'producingl ware of different designs, such for example as plates,

cups. bowls. saucers and the like, means being provided for iiggering or shaping certain articles of ware which would otherwise have to be cast,

Basically. this divisional application contemplates the line production of diversified ware through the use of novel apparatus of a character such that a multiple of instrumentalities for "co-operation with molds of diverse character may be carried thereby andmay be operated in timed relation with thepresentation and mechanical manipulation of molds, so that the proper charge of clay, bat and final p ieee for a particular mold may be produced in succession. In short, the instrumentalities for co-opertion with the molds are alternated automatically and the preferred apparatus for accomplishing this resides in the -form of a turret synchronized with the mold conveyor and mounting tools or fabricating implements of diversified character, all' as will be hereinafter explained. o

.The objects of the invention are to enable form I diversity on a singleproduction line and high ties mentioned and rotate the same andonlysuchoftheseunitsneedbeplacedinoperation as'may be required in manufacturing a particularline of ware, as where plates only are being manufactured. This divisional application has to do particularly with the production of di- -vcrsied shapes in Vsuccession in one or more Proform diversity where '5a multiple of lines are operated in commotion; to provide novel apparatus for mounting and controlling the alternation. presentation and withdrawal of various fabricating instrumentalities and the control and resulation ofthe sise, bulk or volume of the clay charge; to facilitate andl expedite the charm of molds with clay. iiggering of the clay and the removal and disposal of excess clay.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of aportion of the conveying mech- Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a mold for shallow ware. v

Fis. 3 is a horizontal sectional plan view taken on the line 3 3 of F18. 4.

Fig. 4 is a viewin section and side elevation of a mold actuating or lisser 1"!8.51savianviewoftheextrudinsmeansl forming part of the feeder assembly.

Fig. 5A is a detail view of a part of the mold A actuating assembly of Fig. 4.

duction -lines Aat speeds commensurate with'the production of uniform shapes in one or more lines. The application is concerned with the dominating formative procedure and apparatus, to witzthe jiggering phase of the production cycle embracing the feeding. preforming or adhesivelybondingtheclaytothemoldwhilstit isbeingspreadundgivenanapproximationof .ilnal wareform andthe'nnal step of pronling which includes trimming and the removal oiex' cess material, and all of this only in conjunction with the production of diversified shapes in succession.

Fig. 6 is a detail view in section of'a detent.

Fig. 7 isa transverse Avertical sectional view of the clay p and compacting means forming' part of the assembly for feeding charges of clayto the molds. o f

Fig. 8 is a view-in transverse vertical section of -theextrudingmeansformingpartof-thefeeder assembly.

Fla'. 9 is a view in front elevation'oi a tool or attachment carriage to which the `ligger tool turret and attachments' are applied.

Fig. 10 is a view in frontelevation of the pronle and trimmer assembly.

a etail'side elevation of the assembly reduced fragmentary view of a Fig. 13 .is a broken'side or edge elevation of oneqolfcthe profile units of Fig. in co-operation with' alm'old and disclosing the excess clay remov- Fig. 16 is an end elevation of a profile cleaner. 1

Fig. 17 is an end elevation of a profilemounting shown in Fig. 18 and Fig. 18 is a side elevation of a profile and actuating frame.

The various fabricating units herein disclosed are mounted in such order along the fabricating line as will permit each operation to be performed in proper sequence in accordance with the article of ware being produced. These units, as far as the present application is concerned are, a clay feeding apparatus adapted for single or vmultiple line operation; preforming apparatus including die farmers, plungers and turretdevices on which 'theldiesplungers etc. are mounted and jiggering app atus including profiles, trimmers, excess ciaylhandlmg, devices and turret devices for the p roles together with a mold conveyor and actuating Ameans therefor," means for operating the turrets in timed relation therewith and reciprocable Vand/ori. rotatable chucks forv the re` ception and manipulation of molds adjacent the feeding,y preforming ,and ji'ggering apparatus. The moldsin or on,4 which the ware is fabricated are ,disposed on open bottom trays lor carriers 39, Fig. 1, which are swingably mounted in series in endless iexible,v chain conveyors $0 by hollow projectingtrunnions 39a, Fig. 1.having rollers 39h rotatably mounted thereon. these rollers having'concave peripheries vwhich assist in centering the traysflaterally while supported on tracks 4|. These tracks are adjustably secured to the machine frame and support the trays moving in on .one side and out on the other of the fabricating apparatus. The trays 39 lhave mold supporting plates 39m mounted thereon in spaced alignment and each support is adapted to carry a mold and themolds on succeeding supports in any one particular line, maybe arranged for the production of ware of different size, shape or configuration.

The `conveyor 40 is driveny by sprocket shaft It to provide for intermittently halting the trays in the yzone of the fabricating apparatus at the feeding, preforming `and jiggering stations, a predetermined amount of slack is provided in the conveyor chain as described in my application Serial-No. 343,693 and'my United States Letters Patent No. 1,856,498. i In the zone of the various fabricating machines, the trays'are supported on tracks M arranged on each side of the. machine. The trays ride on these tracks on their rollers 39h and ad jacent eachwfabricating position the track is notched forl the purpose of positioning the trays relative to the machine chucks and the alori-r cating machines. The trays in the zone of the vfabricating machines are advanced by mecha nism comprising an elongated pair of railslt! having a plurality of equidistantly spaced notches 46a which are adapted to pick up the trays by their trunnions and advance several of the trays simultaneously from one fabricating position to another.

lMeans for actuating the rails in the aforesaid manner comprises a cam "f which moves lever 41d to the right, causing the bar "c to turn bellcranks 1b and thus raise the rods 41a which are pivotally attached to the rails I1. The cam 41g is for the purpose of shifting the rails longitudi- A nally through rod 41e to advance the trays to the next position after they haveboenelevated, the trays being subsequently loweredfinto the next succeeding set of-` notches on bars 4| after .which the transfer returns to initial position.

The chain sprockets- (not shown) are driven in synchronism and the slack is periodically accumulated and dissipated on opposite sides of the .halted tray or trays, the links buckling nas shown atthevleft in Fig. 1 and permitting abutting trays 'y to move into close-up relation.

Y Hollow oratware may be made on the machine and for purposes of illustration, one type of flatware mold is shown at 53, Fig. 2, having a baseB and a renewable absorbent plaster body C as shown and described in my co-pending application. The base B, Fig. 2, is preferably provided withv Ventilating openings-53e to accelerate the extraction of moisture, facilitate the drying action and permit the application of super-and/or sub-atmospherid pressure and analogous treating fluids to the clay incident to fabrication.

As the trays bearings the molds progress along the main fabricating 1ine,they are intermittently halted over reciprocable and rotatable chucks 62 required. The complete assembly is mounted on a skeleton frame. 83 adjustably secured on supports 83a. The' frame 63 is provided with transversely aligned spindles 64, Fig. 5A, having collars-6ta supporting a. tapered thrust collar Mc, bearings rollers 64e', saddle 64d and spring 64e abutting against cover 64j. The spindle moves upwardlyagainst the tension of spring Bleand lowers by gravity.

Spindle @t is in spline-sliding engagement with chuck spindle 62e, Fig. 4, on which chuck B2 is secured, reciprocation being imparted to chuck 62 and spindle 82a by cam 62d on. crossv shaft 63e. `The cam operates lever.62f, which is adjust; ably pivoted at one extremity, the pivoting assembly being supported .from the frame 63, and

eo guided by extensions 62;' ofthe frame sa, the

upper end of said pitman having adjustably threaded therein a contact screw 62k, the function of which will later become apparent.

Rotation may beimparted to spindle 64 in thev unit shown in Fig. 4 by means of co-operative friction gearstg and 64h, Figs. 3 and 4, the gear tty being adjustably secured on the spindle 64 and the gear Sth splined for longitudinal sliding Yino-vement on a continuously driven cross shaft tdi. The friction gearsl are brought into intermittent contact by lever and brake assem- -bly comprising a brake shoe M7 formed with studs for mounting the shoe for vertical movement on the frame S3, a bell-crank lever elle,

l7.5 connecting rod 64I, pitman 641: and cam contacting arms o and 84p. 'Arms o and'llp are alternately raised and lowered by individual by meansc of which the entire feeder assembly may be vadiustably. supportedover the mold-actuating assembly. The screw Tlla is preferably formed in sections and the required number of \5 these sections are assembled on the squared portion of a shaft c and secured from endwise displacement by an end cap 10d, said shaft havand brake cams being adjusted to work in synchronism when the chuck spindle and chuck elevate, the brake SI1' is releasedpermitting spindle il to lower and thus lowering gear y into contact with the continuously rotating gear Gln and imparting rotation to the chuck. When the chuck is lowered, brake i raises and engages gear 64g, raising spindle 64 and disengaglng gears Mg and 64h stopping rotation of the'chuck.

The shafts Gli and 62e may be driven from the main drive shaft in the machine through, in4 each instance, helical gears l'la and 61,' Fig. 12. Super and sub-atmospheric pressure and other mediums may be applied to the molds through the chuck for various fabricating operations, the

passages 62a. and B2b extending down into the'.

chuck spindle 62e and opening out into annular registering grooves 62a' and B2b' formed in a hood 10 having a working fit around the spindle and adjustably supportedon the frame 63 by rod 10a, hose nipple Blaa and 62h2 being threaded.v

into the hood 10 and communicating with the grooves. A further communicating passage opening out in the bottom of the chuck is provided by a bore Il in the screw 82e', the interior of the spindle 62e being hollow, thus-forming a chamber lla, and the hood l0 having a further groove.

1lb both in communication with said chamber, a hose nipplefllc being threaded into the hood 'Il and communicating with said groove. Where,

the passages62a, B2bl and 'li open out into the chuck 62, resilient sealing and cushioning pads are adjustably threaded into they chuck. The

fluid is controlled by cam operated'valves 12, de-

scribed in the parent application. l

'I'he assembly just described ispreferably operated in conjunction with the `ligger unit and may be mounted in multiple according to the number of fabricatinglines being operated, the shafts i and 62e, Figs. 4 and 12, being common to all of the units if desired. The present mold elevating assembly may be adapted for use at the feeder position but in that event, the gears It would be disengaged andthe chuck held against angular movement, since it does not rotate at this station. j

'I'he clay of which the ware is to be formed is taken from the conditioning apparatus in the usual cartridge or slug form and disposed in a ing bearing in a detachable head ne formed with a hub 'Ilef and bracket 1li, thev bearing being provided with the usual packing gland and packing to ensure against leakage and wear.

The -walis of fthe chamber 1l are preferably fluted longitudinally to prevent angular move- :ment ofthe clay, and in' the top wall a return passage 18g is formed, the inlet 18h of which is shaped to seat a valve '|81 provided with a stem 187' having a sliding nt in'an exteriorly-threaded sleeve 18k against the resistance of a spring 181, said sleeve being adjustably threaded in a cover plate 'Ilm andl secured by lock nut 18u,

and the outlet of vsaid passage opens into the hopper 18o. By adjusting sleeve 18k, the unseating pressure of valve 'Il maybe regulated to thereby regulate the operating pressure in the conduit 8i. When the valve unseats, clay is permitted to pass through the return passage 'Ila back into the hopper 18o. l

The screw 18a is preferably, but not necessarily, intermittently driven by .a continuously-rotating sprocket geari 19, which is rotatably mounted on shaft lllc, and an intermittentlyrotating ratchetl gear 19a, all vas described in my co-pending application.

In operation, the continuously-rotating gear 19 carries a pivotally-mounted dog 19d around the periphery of ratchet 19a, the dog being alternately thrown into and out of mesh with said ratchet by adjustable trip cams. Power for driving the screw Ila may be taken from the main means of helical gears B'Iv and l'la similar to those used for the shaft 4I and cross shafts 62e, Fig. 12. i

Referring now to Fig. 8, the clay compacting in the conduit 8| is forced upwardly through v openings lla, formed in thev top of the said conduit and into a. chamber lib. formed in a pivot post llc, and from the chamber IIb the clay passes through registering openings IIb' and lib, respectively formed in the side wall of the post lic and the hub of va. pivoted turret casting lid, and into one of a series of chambers lib" formedv insa multiple of -radial cylinders Ile forming part of the turret Old, from which the clay is extruded into or on the molds. While the clay could be extruded direct from the conduit Il onto the molds, the construction here shown is adapted for producing different kinds hopper 18o opening into a progressing and compacting chamber 1l, Fig. '1. having .a driven'screw 18a working therein which pr and com-l pacts the clay into a conduit ii' extending transversely of the machine across the lines of molds and common to a multiple of feeders From this conduit the clay is forced into extruding` -in one of the top platesof the machine and of ware in succession, as where plates, cups andsaucers are being formed in one line of molds. The turret Old, therefore, may be rotated on the pivot post llc in synchronism with the mold conveyor to bring each cylinder over av mold as it is advanced inline if different types of molds areinthesameline.

The upper extremity of the turret lid is formed with a shoulder and trunnion to receive a gear Ulf, which is rotatably mounted thereon. the gear being recessed' to house a resiliently vmounted latch or dete'nt lla. Fig. 6, theshoulder being formedv with a number -of 'recesses in accordance with the-number of extruding .cyl-

l is formed with 'a plurality of notches, here three,

so that when the turret is rotated to its approximate angular position, it is spotted/by said detent.

The upper extremity of the pivot post Mc is threaded and thereon is adjustably mounted a lever-supporting bracket or postl 8.2, the lower extremity of which is rounded and enlarged as at 82a and threaded over the post Blc and secured by lock nut 82a', said bracket 82 also being cast with a branch bracket 82h. On the uppervextremity of this bracket 82 a lever is adjustably pivoted, said lever lli terminating to a gear` segment Blk, which is in continual mesh with the turret gear Blf. The lever Bij is oscillated by a groove cam Bil, which is formed with a groove 8,1,1 and adjustably se- 'cured as on shaft with a pin'Blj' which engages in said groove.

As the cam BIZ rotates, lever 8U is oscillated, thus oscillating turret gear Blf, the length of the stroke being adjusted `.in accordance with the angular spacing of the detent slots in the shoulder of the turret lid. Thus, if the turret is to be intermittently rotated counter-clockwise, the detent-ls't'urned so that the toe of its beveled end faces in that direction, 'and if clockwise, the

detent is simply turned in its socket accordingly, while if the turret is to be oscillated back4 and forth, the 4detent is turned to an intermediate position.

As the clay is progressed into the chambers lib. it is extruded therefrom in measured charges by reciprocating plungers, each ofwhich comprises a stem kI3. which is hollow or formed with a longitudinal bore 83a, the lower extremity of the plunger being threaded to adjustably receive a socket 98h, in which is threaded a porous head 83o composed of materialsuch as plaster of, Paris and having a chamber 83o' therein, thel bore 83a terminating vinl said chamber.` The head may be ,secured inadjusted position by a lock nut 83d. The stem 83 extends upwardly through the top of the cylinder Ble, which is provided with a packing gland 83d, said cylinder being formed with an extension guide bracket Sie3 for said stem. the latter moving upwardly against the compression of a spring 831, which encircles the stem 83 and is adjustable by a col- .lar 83g threaded on said stem. A contact nut 83e is also adjustably threaded on the stemV 83, to adjust the lowermost point ofreciprocation or travel of the plunger. Y

,The extruding plungers are forced upwardly against the compressionA tension of springs 83jl by a lever 831, adjustably pivoted atone extremity, Fig. 8, onthe bracket B2b, and at its opposite extremity said lever has pivotally mounted thereon a hook 831', adjustably by turnbuckle 831', said hook engagingr under a collar l88k, which is adjustably secured on each plunger' stem v83. Lever-@3i is actuated by a cam 831. which is adjustably mounted on the shaft 80a, Fig. 5.

Means `are provided for applying a treating medium-such as uid at super and sub-atmospheric pressure or velectricity `to the clay charges, the rounded part 82a of bracket 8l and the upper extremity of post 8lc being 80a, said lever being provided under the control of a valve or valves such as.

that at 12, Fig. 4.

To provide for progressing different grades and mixtures of clay into one conduit and feeding a particular mix or grade into ak particular advancing line or lines of molds, it is preferred to mount the progressing and compacting assembly shown at both ends of the conduit 8|, and the extruding orifices along the conduit may be separated from one another by slide valves Bim. Thus, a certain grade or mix of clay may be progressed into each end' of the conduit and maintained separate by the slide valves, or if it should be desired to feed a diierent grade or mix of clay to each line of molds, arseparate feeding chute and screw could obviously be provided for each extruding assembly.

The feeder assembly as a whole is adaptedfor use with the mold actuating units described in connection with Fig. 4 and it will be seen that the charges of clay may bev treated on all sides,-

viz: through the plunger head 83h, upperdie or former and the mold. i

'I'he operation of the feeder should now be understood. The clay mayA be depositedin the hopper 18o in the usual cylindrical roll as it is taken from the conditioning apparatus, the screw 18a being intermittently actuated to progress and compact the clay in a homogeneous mass into the conduit 8|, lfrom which it is forced upwardly through the chamber 8Ib. If the turret is to be rotated to feed different types of molds in succession, the detent 8| g is turned in the proper direction, and as the openings 8Ib' and 8Ib2 register, the clay passes into the chamberv SIb-i, from which the feeding plungers eject or extrude and segregate it in measured charges against the molds, which are 4preferably elevated to the upper die and form a, confining chamber substantially bounded on all sides by porous materia]` and into vwhich the clay is extruded, the descending plunger completing the walls of the chamber. The feeding plungers need only be raised to a, point sufficient to permit approximately the correct quantity of clay to pass into the feeding orices, the side walls of which form an accumulating chamber or welly and at which time it is preferred to partially rotate the screw 18a, whereupon the descending plungers move into the orices and eject the clay in the form of a. column ontol the molds with suficient force to cause it to adhere thereto, the column spreading radially over the molds and expelling the air from the gradually closing chamber, until the molds and upper dies meet, at which time or shortly thereafter the charge is completely extruded .by the descending plunger head.

It' is preferred to leave a clearance space between the plunger head 83o and side walls of the extruding orifice or well 84d, to permit back extrusion of`excess material into the chamber 8lb3.

Suction may be set up through the porous mold, plunger head and die facing, Which will not only withdraw air but in adhesion of the clay to the mold and speed up the drying action.` The eect of suction is supplemented by the mechanical pressure exerted by the extrudlng plungers.

No attempt is made herein to enumerate the on the clay l through the porous walls which encompass the chamber formed by the mold, die facing anciA plunger head and into which the charge is extruded. However, in the event the clay should tend to adhere to the upper die and plunger head, air under pressure may be applied to ensure release of the clay, or a suitable fluid or liquid applied so that the plaster head and facing will be maintained in a, moist and slippery condition, and in conjunction with the foregoing, sub-atmosphere or suction may be applied through the porous mold which will cause the clay to adhere.there'to and also evacuate excess moisture and air pockets. The vents 53e may be formed around the mold Awhere the peripheral edge of the ware terminates so that when suction is applied, it will assist the expansion of the charge and ensure com-plete coverage of the mold. Ordinarily, the porous material will permit the treating medium to pass therethrough and it will not be necessary to provide ducts or vents unless it is desired to selectively apply said medium. By establishing a sub-atmospheric condition between the chuck and4 mold, the latter will be held rmly on the chuck and be prevented fromsticking to the upper die if there should be any tendency in that direction. In the event it is desired to apply super-atmospheric pressure 'to the under-portioniof the mold, the chuck may be magnetized as disclosed in my co-pending application to maintain the mold and chuck in association.

After the molds ina line transversely of theconveyor have been filled, the tray is advanced one division by the bar 41 to the next station which may be the' jiggering or profiling station. The profiles are mounted on turrets suspended over each line for alternating the various tools in accordance with the article presented for jiggering-and the turrets aresupported by an assembly which comprises a vertical guide 85, Figs. 9 and 11, andvstop posts which 4are adjustably secured in and depend from one of the top plates of the frame. A frame 85a .shown as of rectangular shape is mounted to have a vertical sliding fit on said posts, nuts 85h being, threaded on the lower extremities of said posts to adjustably limit the lowermost point oi travel of said frame. The frame 85a, i-s formed with a bracket 85e, which is bored to receive a pivot bolt 85d, which is adjus'tably secured by nut 35d, a lever 85e being pivoted at oneextremityin said bolt and at its opposite extremity adjustably and pivotallysupportedfrom a post 853, which also depends from and is secured in the top plate. Ths lever 85e is provided with al cam roller 85e adapted for contact with various types of frameactuating cams shaped in accordance with the work involved and which are mounted on one of the cross shafts 80a. y

The lower portion of the frame 85a is formed with a dovetail slot or groove in which a bar 85g is mounted to have a horizontal sliding iit, the bar at the left as viewed in Fig. 9 being formed withaI vertical guide bracket 85h having a central slot or track 8511i. A lever 851' provided with a cam roller 85i is pivotally and, adjustably supported at its 'upper extremity from a post 857', and at its lower extremity said lever is provided with a. pin 85i2 adapted to have a working fit in said track 85h". As in the case of lever 85e, the cams for the lever 851' are given the required contour in accordance with the work in- -post 86h and at v is provided with a pin volved and are mounted on one shafts 80a.

The bar 85g is slotted at kl, a pin 85 'being secured in the frame 85a, a compressionspringl 851e2 being mounted to abut at opposite ends, respectively, against said pin and the bar 85g. The bar 85g is also provided with a screw bracket 851 in` which a conta-ct screw 85m is mounted, which serves to adjustably limit the movement of bar 85g in one direction independently of its cam travel or reverse movement. The screw bracket 851 is adapted to be attached at either end of bar 85g and the spring 85k2 at either end of slot 85k, to conform to the positive direction t6, Fig. 10, is supported from 'the slide bar 85g,

Figs9 and 11, by means of a hanger bracket 86a,

said bracket being formed with projecting hub portions 86a and Sta2 and issecured to the bar 85g by screws 86a3, the disk 86 being rotatably mounted on the hub 86a. and prevented from lateral displacement by a ring. A shaft 86h extends *hrough and has bearing in the projecting hubs of bracket 86a, this shaft functioning in a manner which will later become apparent. The disk, like the feeder turret ld, may' be rotated lintermittentlyin one direction or os'cillated, de-

tent suchv as 81g in Fig. 6 being housed, respectively, in a gear 86e, Fig. 14, and the bracket 86a and adapted to register in detent or latch notches 31g' and spotting notches Eli /forme'd in one side of said disk 86, there being four of each of said notches in the present instance. The gear 86e isy mounted to rotate free on thebracket hub 86a and the teeth 86e' of said gear are in continual mesh with the teeth 86d" of a rack 86d, the latter being slidably dove-tailed into a groove formed inthe bracket 86a, see Fig. 9, and terminating in a T-head 86x12, which is formed with a track 86:13; The rack 86d is actuated by a bell-crank lever 86e, which. is fulcrumed at '86e' on a bracket extension 86e2 formed on the frame 85a, the one extremity of said lever 86ev being provided with a pin86e3which has a'sliding fit in the groove or track 86d3, Fig. 9,whi1e the opposite extremity of said lever has pivoted thereto a connecting rod 86f which .extends through a guide bracket 8613 Vand terminates in a T-head 86j formed with a groove or'track 86f2, said '-head co-operating with a lever 86g plvotally supported at its upper extremity from a its lower extremity said lever 86g' having a sliding fit in. the groove or trackV 86j2 of T-head 86j'.

Leverl 86g is operated lbyacam (not shown) mounted on shaft Btc, these r i s also being generally shown with the respective attachments hereinafter described. A retracting spring 8 Gd4 is secured at opposite extremities, respectively, to the T-he'ad 86d2 andthe bar 85g.

A screw 86i is shown as threaded in the bracket 86a,this'screw being adjusted againstth'e turret disk 86 when it is desired to maintain saiddisk stationary with 'said bracket. A screw 865i is also shown threaded in the hub v86a2 of bracket of the cross nishing tools and transfer chucks, which is described vin connection with each respective fabricating operation inA my co-pending application supra. In the present application profiling instrumentalities are mounted thereon.

The shaft 66h may be driven by either a positive or friction drive, the friction drive being shown in Fig.. for the purposes of illustration.

A bevel gear 81, formed with a hub 81', is shown as adjustably secured on the shaft 86h, this gear meshing with a similar gear 8M. secured on a. stub shaft 81a which has bearing in the projectingl extremity of a bracket arm- 86a5 formed as part of the bracket 86a. A bracket 81h is adjustably supported by a post 61h' from one of the top frame plates 38e and extends down and at its lower extremity is formed with a foot 81h, a stub shaft 81e having bearing in saidl foot, this shaft forming part of a .flexible coupling comprising a sleeve 81c' and longitudinally.

grooved shaft 8'lc2 in spline-sliding engagement with said sleeve, the lower extremity of shaft 87o2 being coupled for universal movement with the stub shaft 81e' on which gear 81a is secured. The stub shaft su lef the nenti@ coupling has adjustably secured thereon a pinion gear 81d, which may be replaced by a friction gear ldf, see Fig. 15, when a non-positive, intermittent or continuous high-speed drive is desired. If pinion 81d is used, the drive is effected by means of a segmental gear 81e formed on a lever 81e', which is adjustably pivotally mounted on the bracket 81h and providedv with a cam roller 81e2 adapted to contact with a cam to be mounted on shaft 80a or sleeve 68 and which may be given various contours in accordance with the rotation desired for shaft 86h. The lever 81e' may be retracted by a spring 81j'.

If the friction or non-positive drive is desired, the friction gear 81d' may be` substituted for pinion 81d and a co-operating friction gear 81g splined or mounted for longitudinal sliding movement on shaft 80a or sleeve 68, the latter gear being formed with a hub having an annular groove 81g' formed therein. A grooved cam4 81h, adjustably mounted on shaft 80a, transmits longitudinal sliding movement to friction gear cordance with the particular attachments in use. Ii there are four attachments on the turret and all are being used in succession. the lever 86g may be actuated by a cam properly contoured to move the disk a quarter turn each machine.

cycle.

The profile and trimmer assemblies are shown in Fig. 10 as being mounted directly on the turret disk 86, there being four profiles 90, 98a, 90b and 90e shown,` so that four diiferent kinds of ware may be shaped in succession, or the turret disk oscillated to alternately move any two proles into operative position. The proles are adjustably secured to the disk 86 by slotting the l disk and profile at right angles to receive attaching bolts, as at 98d, Fig. 18. Excess material openings 84o, see Fig. 10, sloped lso as to present a scooping edge counted to rotation of the mold, are preferably formed in the profiles, these openings terminating in a cavity or channel 841i.

The prole 90 is for undercut'ware and is provided with a. resillently mounted brim-forming ring 90e and adapted for application of subor super-atmospheric pressure or other fluid through the clay contacting face thereof to assist in releasing the clay therefrom, all as disclosed in my co-pending, application. The ring 90e is rotatably mounted in a bearing or supporting ring 90h and held against displacement by pins 90h', so that the ring 90e may rotate with the mold While its supporting ring 90h re- 81g by means of a pin 81i, slide rod B'hfl and pin 81, the pins 8'Ii and 8W being adjustably secured on slide rod Blz"l which in turn is mounted to slide longitudinally in adjustable supporting brackets 811 which extend upwardly and are secured in one of the frame plates 38c.

n the rotation of shaft atb is to be alternately' reversed, the drum cam 81h may be' used, this cam movement causing the friction gear 81g to move across' the face of gear 81d', and when the gear 81g passes over the vertical axis of gear 81d', the rotation of said gear will be halted and reversing the drive on said The fabricating attachments are mounted on the turret disk 86, Fig. 10, which is rotated in acmains relatively stationary, the hose nipple `90g2 being secured'in the ring 90h and the latter formed with an annular groove or chamber in registration with the supply duct 90g'. The ring h is secured by threaded pins 9011.2 to a bracket 982', springs 8,09'- being inserted over said latter pins to provide a resilient mounting for the assembly. The bracket Si is slotted at k for the securing pins or bolts for the prole so that the profile and vring assembly have a relative lateral oating association.

It will be noted that the profile 80 does not require a trimmer in view of the ring 90e with its brim-contacting insert.

When the prole is removed from the interior of the undercut ware, it is first. moved toward the Y the case of the profile assembly has adjustably secured .thereon a trimmer-depressing cam 9|, see Figs. 10 and 1l, which depresses a trimmer lSla against the compression of a spring Sib, said trimmer being slidably mounted in brackets Sic, which may be formed onvthe profile, and has adjustably threaded in the top thereof a contact screw 91d which contacts with cam 9|.

To insure accurate positioning of the profile relatively to the molds and uniform thickness of the ware, a contact screw 62k' maybe adjustably mounted in a bracket 62k2 secured to the turret disk 86, said screw being adjusted to contact with screw 62k threaded into the top of the pltman 62g Figs. 4 and 10. When the mold and prole reach their approximate operative posi-- tions, the screws 62k and 62k' contact and the profile moves a short distance in unison with the mold.

If it is desired to produce irregular-shaped ware such as ovals and the like, the mold may be provided with a ring cam 92, contoured in vaccordance with the ware to be produced,v the y profile assembly.

means such as screwsA 92a and IIb, which are adjustably mounted in a bracketllc secured to the disk I6, the screw 92a guiding the profile vertically and the screw B2b laterally, and as the slide bar 85g to which the turret disk is secured has a resilient yieldingaction in one direction and the frame lia yields vertically against gravitational weight. the cam l2 may serve to guide the profile in shaping irregular-shaped ware.

The profile could also be given the desired verti-V cal and horizontal movements in producing irregular-shaped ware by the use of suitably-contoured cams for levers 85e and Sii.

A A suitable uid such as water may be automatically applied to the clay charge during proling through the passages 13e and 13j, in Fig. 14 and a tube connected thereto terminating in a valved nozzle 9|', Fig. 10. The iiuid may be controlled by one of the valves 12, Fig. 4. Y

Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate a simplified form of profile assembly which it may be desired to use Having thus described'my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a pottery fabricating machine, a turret member, a plurality of fabricating tools mounted on said member, reciprocable and rotatable chucks, a plurality of open-bottom trays linked in series by an endless flexible conveyor, means for advancing said trays in a substantially rectiwhen the ware in one line is of the same shape.

In this instance the assembly may be adiustably supported from one of the top plates by posts Ilm. The prole 90a is adjustably secured on a i slide bracket Slm' which in turn is mounted for vertical sliding movement in a guide and supporting bracket 80m. the latter being supported" by said posts 96m. 'Ihe bracket 90m' moves'yertically against the tension of a spring ma secured at opposite extremities, respectively, to said bracket 90m' and bracket 90m2. 'Ihe slide bracket' 90m' has adjustably secured on top.

thereof a stop member or washer 501114, which contacts with the guide bracket Slim.2 when the profile is in its lowermost position. 'Ihe trimmer Sla is adjustably secured on a bracket m5, which may-be cast integral with, or secured to the bracket 96m. l In operation, the screw 62k' may be adjusted relatively to screw 62k, so that when the mold elevates, these screws-will contact when the profile has smoothed the ware to a predetermined thickness, whereupon the `mold and profile move in unison to a point where the trimmer operates, after which the molds with the formed ware is lowered onto its tray 39 The horizontal operating position of the profile may be definitely limited by screw. 85m and its angular position definitely spotted by a detent.

A bracket 92e carrying screws 92a and 92h may obviously be applied to the turret disk 86 for each profile assembly, and theuse of this feature is not confined to the production of irregularly` shaped ware, but said screws may serve as an,`

alternate means or in addition to horizontal limiting screw lmaand vertical profile-limiting screws 62k and 62k', fordeflnitely limiting the horizontal and vertical operating position of each As the prole shapes terial is forced into the openings 840, Fig. 10, and chamber or passage 841i therebehind, the `clay being removed fromA the latter passage by pressure which may, if desired, be aided by suction in a conduit member 93, Fig. 13, vformed with a vsegmental flange 93a rto facilitate registration with a conveying conduit 93h. The conduit member 93h may be supported from. the frame and is positioned so that the flared inlet will yield slightly and register with the flanged terminal 83a of the conduit 93 when the turret is given a partial turn to bring one of the proles into operative position. A screw conveyor 93e mounted in conduit Ilb impels the excess material therethrough the ware, the excess mal having a plurality of profiles mounted thereon,

linear plane between said turret member and chucks. and means for imparting angular movement to said turret member.

2. Apparatus for fabricating pottery ware, comprising a plurality of mold-carrying trays, means for advancing said trays, molds carried by said trays, fabricating mechanism mounted adjacentnthe line of travel of said trays and including a clay-feeding machine and a plurality of vdies adapted for various types of molds, and

means for intermittently altering the position of the said dies relatively to the advancing molds.

3. Apparatus for fabricating pottery ware,

fcomprising a plurality of open-bottom mold-carber adapted to support the tool, vertically andI horizontally movable frame components on which said member is mounted, and a system of camactuated levers for imparting angular movement to said member and vertical and horizontal movement to said frame components.

5. In apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a plurality of molds and means for advancing said molds in `a substantially rectilinear plane, of a multiple of profiles each adapted for a particular shaped article of ware, support means on which said proiiles are mounted, and means for imparting intermittent `angular movement to said support means in synchronism with the advancing molds.

6. In apparatus of the class specified, means each of said profiles being formed with an extrusion conduit communicating with the working edge. of the proiile, means for imparting intermittent angular'movement tothe first named means to move the profiles intooperative position, means including a relatively stationary conduit mounted adjacent the rst named means,

the'receiving end of said latter conduit being adapted to register with a' terminal end of said first-named conduit when the respective profiles move intooperative'position, and a means for removing'4 excess material from said conduits.

.'7. In a' `pottery fabricating machine, a turret member, a plurality of fabricating tools mounted on said member, reciprocable and rotatable chucks, a plurality of open-bottom trays connected in series by an endless flexible conveyor, means for advancing said trays in a substantially rectilinear plane between said turret and s id chucks, and means for imparting intermitt vangular motion to said chucks, and means for imparting intermittent angular moths to said turret member.

8. In apparatus of the class speciied, a tool l0 carriage, comprising a turret, vertically and horizontally movable frame components on which said turret is mounted, a system of cam-actuated levers for imparting angular movement to said turret and vertical and horizontal movement to said frame components, and means for adjusting the throw of said levers while acting to move said turret and frame components.

9. In apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a plurality of molds and means for advancing said molds in series in a substantially rectilinear plane, of aturret member having a multiple of profiles mounted thereon, means for imparting intermittent angular movement to-the turret in synchronism with the advancing molds,- and means for moving the turret vertically and horizontally.

10. In apparatus of the class specied, a turret member, a plurality of profiles mounted thereon, trimmers mountedin conjunction with certain of .the profilesl and adapted to be moved into operative position, means for imparting intermittent angular movement to the turret to move the proilles into operative position, and cam means for moving the trimmers into operative position.

11. In apparatus of the class specified, a turret member, a plurality of profiles mounted thereon, each of said profiles being formed with a clay receiving zone in communication with the,work ing edge of the prole and terminating in a con- 40 duit member, means for imparting vintermittent angular movement to the turret to move the profiles into operative position, and a relatively stationary conduit mounted adjacent the turret, the receiving end of said latter conduit being adapt,- edito register with the terminal end of said rstnamed conduit when each pronle moves into operative position. 1

12. In apparatus for jiggering potteryware, a

profile unit arranged to make diierentpleces of 50 pottery ware in combination with a pottery mold conveyor and a reciprocable pottery mold support on which molds are presented to the unit, said profile unit comprising, a support-having a plurality of profiles for making different pottery ware shapes thereon, means for alternating the proles Iand means for operating the proille alternating means in timed relation with the conveyor and the reciprocable mold support.

13. In apparatus for manufacturing potteryware, a feeder unit for feeding different sizes and volume clay charges'to different capacity molds presented in succession thereto in a single line in combination with a multiple pronle unit for profiling diiferent ware shapes in succession on the previously charged molds presented in suc'- cession in the vsaid line.

, 14. In .apparatus for manufacturing potteryware, means for successively feeding clay charges to different capacity molds in the correct volume- 7o required by each presented thereto. in succession, means for spreading the clay 'on said molds, and

Y means for prolingdiiferent'ware shapes in succession.

15. In combination, a conveyor transporting mounting, a plurality of pottery molds and means l I for co-operating pottery molds with said fabricating tools, means for altering the mounting to bring different fabricating tools into co-operation with the molds to formdifferent pieces.k of ware in said molds, means for transporting molds to and from the zone of fabrication said fabricating tools comprising forming members movable axially of the molds for depositing mold charges in y the molds and shaping the same therein.

17. In apparatus for the manufacture of potteryware, charge feeding and batting out mechanism which comprises av support, a plurality oi' charge forming mechanisms associated with-said support, a battingout die associated with each charge forming mechanism andmeans for alternating said charge feeding and battingv out mechanisms at the feeding and batting out position to thereby diversify the production.

18. In apparatus-for the manu-facture of potteryware, a clay feeding and forming mechanism which comprises a plurality of charge forming devices arranged on a common support, an open center batting out die associated with each charge forming device and means for alternating the charge forming devices and dies at the feeding position. i 19. In apparatus for the manufacture of potteryware, mechanism for batting out clay on molds comprising a support having a.` plurality of batting out heads having diversely contoured working surfaces thereon and means for alternatlng said heads at the batting out position to thereby diversify the production.

20. In a machine for making potteryware, the combination of a batting out mechanism comprising a plurality of batting out heads for making ware pieces of different kinds together with y means for alternating the heads at the battingposition and a jiggeringmechanism comprising a plurality of proling instrumentalities and means for alternating saidinstrum'entalities at the proiling position, said batting out and profiling mechanisms being arranged adjacent a common line of molds for co-operation with the molds arranged in said line. i

2l. In a pottery machine, the combination of means for successively depositing mold charges in and shaping mold charges on molds including at least one axially movable forming member `and -a profiling mechanism including a plurality oi' profiles for making dissimilar pieces of ware, means for altering the profiling mechanism to alter the profiles at the profiling position to form different pieces of ware and means common to all of said profiles for supplying uid to the work -together with a mold carrier having continuous motion except inthe forming and profiling posi# tions, a series of molds mounted-on the carriers and arranged by the' movement of the carrier to' be brought in turn -into the aforesaid stations.:

' 22.l In a pottery fabricating machine, a turret member, a plurality of fabricating tools mounted thereon, said tools being of diverse character in order to produce a diversified production, reciproi instrumentalities at the fabricating position to thereby diversify the production agri; means forcable and rotatable chucks, a plurality of open bottom mold carrying trays connectedl in series by an endless flexible conveyor, means for advancing the said traysin a substantially rectilinear plane to a position adjacent said turret and said chucks, means for imparting intermittent l angular motion to said turret member and means for elevating said chucks to remove molds from said trays and means for rotating saidchucks to rotate the said, molds incident to co-operaticnwith the fabricating tools.

23.l In apparatus for manufacturing diversified potteryware, a dryer, a mold conveyor, a fabricating machine mounted in conjunction with a conveyor having a multiple of preforming heads,

each having a surface contour corresponding to that of a particular mold, means for alternating the heads atthe preformingposition as molds for different kinds of ware are presented thereto, a -jiggering machine including a multiple lof profiles each having an edge surface, corresponding to that of a particular ware shape to be produced, and means for alternating said profiles lso as to bring thecorresponding profile into profiling position as the corresponding mold is presented thereto. i

24. In apparatus for manufacturing diversified potteryware, amold conveyor, a mold charging means, preforming means comprising a plurality of shaping heads mounted on a common4 support, means for alternating said heads vat the preforming position, a Jigger comprising a plurality of profiles mounted-on a common support, means for alternating said profiles at, the profiling position and means for .synchronizing the operation of said alternating means and said' conveyor.

25. In a' pottery fabricating machine, moldl charging mechanism and clay fabricating mechanism, said last named mechanism comprising a support, a plurality of faibrlcati'ig means mounted thereon said fabricating means having. diversely contoured fabricating surfaces, means for repositioning the support to present various of the fabricating means at the fabricating position to thereby diversify the production.

26. In a pottery fabricating machine, a confabricatingmechanism said last named mechaveyor for molds, mold charging mechanism, wareV nism comprising a support on which a plurality of fabricating r'neansv are mounted rsaid fabricating means having diversely contoured fabricating surfaces and means for selectively presenting various fabricating means at the fabricating position to thereby diversify the production.`

27. In apparatus for the manufacture of pottery ware, a fabricating mechanism which comprises, a mounting arranged to support a plurality charge feeding vmeans at the feeding position, and means common `to all said charge feeding means for supplying said charge feeding means with clay, said' means including a hollow conduit adapted to be filled with clay and discharged into said feeding means. y

30. In a mechanism forV supplying plastic clay to molds, a plurality of mold'charging meanseach having a clay receiving chamber and a delivery outlet, and means including a force applying de- "vice and a hollow conduit common to all said .mold charging meansfor supplying the clay receiving chamber of said mold` charging means with clay.

31. A clay feeder which includes means having a plurality of feeding Oriceameans for altervnating the orifices at the feeding position and a regulable source of clayv supply common to all of -said-v orifices including a hollow conduitadapted to be filled with plasticclay and force applying means for dischargingthe clay therefrom.

32. In apparatus for the manufacture of potteryware, a feeder for, progressing different grades and mixtures of clay comprising a conduit having a plurality of charge forming devices associated therewith for preparing and feeding charges to a plurality of lines of molds, clay progressing andcompacting means connected at both ends of the conduit and Vslide valves.ar-

ranged along the conduit.

33. In apparatus for manufacturing potteryware, the combination of a carrier having a series 'of molds mounted thereon, a conduit for plastic f material, charge feeding mechanisms, branches leading from said conduit to said feeding mechanisms, means for forcing clay under pressure into said conduit and means for interrupting the supply of clay to any one of said charge feeding mechanisms without interrupting the supply of clay to any other of said charge feeding mecha- 34.In apparatus for manufacturing pottery articles, a carrier formolds having a series of molds thereon, a plurality of charge feeding mechanisms arranged adjacent the -line of travel of said conveyor and adapted. to prepare and deposit a plurality of mold; charges simultaneously in a plurality of molds, means for supplying said charge feeding mechanisms with 'clay comprising a conduit having branches associated with said lcharge feeding mechanisms, means for forcing clay under pressure into the conduit from at least one end, saidcharge feeding mechanisms and Vsaid carrir being synchronously operated.

of fabricating instrumentalities, means for rof tating said mounting to alternate the fabricating reversing the rotation of said moiiting.

28. In combination, a conveyor transporting different-,sizes and shapes of molds, a plurality of moldslocated on said conveyor, a clay `feeder arranged to charge said molds with clay in successive order, a plurality of dies arranged to be alternately co-operated with corresponding molds and a Pllity of. profiles arranged to be alter- 70 nately co-operated with corresponding molds, there being means for trimmingthe brim ofthe Ware incident to profiling together with means for collecting and disposing of the trimmings.

29. In a clay feeder, a pluralityof means for feeding clay charges, means for altl'nating the 35. In a clay supplying mechanism for use with pottery making machinery, a clay compacting and extruding mechanism, drive means therefor selectively regulable to predetermine the rate and.' amount of extrusion, a conduit connected to said extrusion mechanism and into which the clayr is forced underpressure, branches in said conduit leading to mold charging mechanisms associated with the pottery machine and individual valves controlling the passage of clay into said branches whereby any one or. all of saidbranches may be selectively closed or opened.

36. The method of feeding clay to molds which comprises, progressing clay from opposite direc-- tions into the ends of a conduit and diverting the clay into the production lines before the opposed advancing columns meet in the conduit.

, 37. Inapparatus of the class described,.a plurality of mold charging means each having a clay receiving chamber anda delivery outlet,

means forming a conduit for progressing clay into f of said mold charging means being individually of clay contained in the charges produced by said said clay receiving chambers and an axially movable implement associated with each mold charging means for discharging clay through said outlet,'means for filling said conduit with clay, each regulable to vary the volume of clay in the charge produced.

38. In combination, a charge feeding mechanism having means for producing charges for making a succession of different ware shapes varying in the amount of clay contained in each, and mold conveying means for successively presenting diverse molds at the feeding position, said charge feeding mechanism operating in repeated cycles and the molds being arranged in corresponding groups.

39. In the automatic mass production manufacture of dinnerware, the method which consists in advancing a line of diverse molds for making different ware shapes through a feeding 'a delivery outlet, a hollow conduit common to all of said mold charging means for supplying. clay to the clay receiving chambers thereof and means for progressing clay into said conduit.

42` In combination with a mold carrier having molds disposed thereon, a plurality of mold charging means having a clay receiving chamber and a delivery outlet, segregating means, hollow conduit means `for supplying said chambers with clay, means for supplying clay to said conduit and means for regulating the discharge of clay from said outlets.

43. In combination, a mold carrier having molds disposed thereon, mold charging means having a clay receiving chamber and a delivery outlet, means for supplying clay to said clay receiving'chamber comprising a hollow member for enclosing the clay with substantial exclusion of air through which the clay is progressed into said, clay receiving chamber, and means for liing said member with clay. s

44. In combination, a mold carrier having molds disposed thereon, mold charging means having a clay receiving chamber and a delivery outlet, means for supplying clay thereto inthe form of a hollow conduit, means for extruding clay into said conduit and means for regulating 'the rate of extrusion.. 60

' 45. In apparatus for the manufacture of pottery ware, means for supplying clay to-molds including a plurality of mold charging means each having a clay receiving chamber and a delivery outlet, an elongated conduit located adjacent v thereto and communicating with the aforesaid clay receiving chambers, clay extrusion means operatively connected at one or both ends of the conduit for progressing clay thereinto, means for regulating the amount of clay extruded into said T0 conduit and means for regulating the volume.--

mold charging mechanisms.-

46. In apparatus for supplying clay to molds in the manufacture of pottery ware the combina- 47. The method of feeding clay to molds which comprises, progressing clay from a source of extrusion in one or more columns into a hollow conduit and diverting the'clay at spaced points along the conduit into separate streams and segregating'each stream of clay into mold y charges.

4a. The method of supplying clay to molds in the manufacture of jiggered pottery ware which comprises, extruding clay directly into a hollow conduit and then progressing the clay along said conduit with substantial avoidance of exposure v toatmosphere, diverting the clay into one or more discharge outlets and then progressing'the clay therethrough and segregating charges therefrom, depositing the charges on moldsfand by cooperation with a non-adhesive matrix spreading the clay over the surface of the molds to thereby form a .iiggering blank and adhesively bond the clay to the molds. ,4 l

49. In apparatus for supplying plastic clay to molds, a plurality of'mold 'charging means each having a clay receiving chamber and a delivery outlet, means including a'i'orce applying device and a hollow conduit common to all of said mold charging means for supplying the clay receiving chamber of said mold charging means with clay and means for interrupting the mold charging function of any one of said mold charging means.

50. In combination with a mold carrier having molds disposed thereon, a plurality of mold charging-means eachf having a clay receiving chamber and a delivery outlet, segregating means.' conduit means for supplying said chambers with clay, means for supplying clay to said conduit, means for regulating the discharge of clay from said outlets and means for interrupting the mold charging function of any one of said mold charging means, individually of the other.

51. In apparatus for feeding clay to asuccession of pottery molds, chambered means having delivery outlets through which plastic clay is delivered in consecutive charges to said molds, hollow conduit means for conducting clay to said chambers, force applying means operatively connected to said hollow conduit means for progressing clay into said chambers and outlets, the feed to the succession of molds being alternated between delivery outlets.

52. In apparatus for feeding clay to a succession of pottery molds arranged in one or more lines, chambered means having sets of delivery outlets through which plastic clay is'delivered to molds in consecutiveA charges, hollow conduit means for conducting clay to said chambers, force applying means operatively connected to said hollow conduit .means for progressing Gly into said chambers and said outlets, the feed being alternated between sets of outlets.

53. In apparatus for feeding clay to molds, a plurality of clay receiving chambers with downwardly opening delivery outlets, the feed through the aforesaid outlets being-alternated, one outlet being inoperative whilst the other is working,

means for supplying plastic clay to said chambers including hollow conduit means adapted to 54. In the feeding of plastic clay to a succes# sion of pottery'molds, the method which consists in, progressing clayv from a source of supplying clay under controlled pressure to the inlet of a lselected passage, each nozzle being above the general path of travel of the molds and adaptedA 4 l selectively to lfeed clay charges to successive molds moving in said path, and means operative y in timed relation to the movement of a mold into ply into a hollow conduit, bringing into registry `the hollow conduit anda chamber having a downwardly opening delivery outlet and applying pressure -to the clay in said conduit to discharge the same into saidchamber and delivery orifice and by the movement of a segregating member, severing charges of clay therefrom in consecutive order. m

55. In combination with apparatus foradvancing a line of pottery molds along a generally horizontal path wherein clay is formed on themolds into articles of pottery, a plurality of clay discharge nozzles through which clay may be fed, clay passages for the several nozzles extending back to inlets vremoved therefrom, and means for supplying clay -under controlled pressure to the inlet of a selected passage. each nozzle being `above the general path of travel of the molds' and adapted 'selectively to feed clay charges to successive molds moving in said path.

56. In combination with apparatus for advancing aline of lpottery molds along a generally horizontal path wherein clay is formedonfthe molds into articles of pottery, a plurality of clay discharge nozzles through which clay may be fed, clay passages for the several nozzles extending back to inlets removed therefrom, and means for supplying clay under 4controlled pressure to ftheinlet of selected passage, each nozzle being above th general path of travel of the molds and adapted selectively 'to feed clay charges of a size or weight predetermined for vthe particular nozzle to successive molds moving in said path.

57. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of pottery molds along a general horizontal path wherein clay is formed on the molds thereby.

charge-receiving position beneath the selected nozzle for effectingi 58. In combination with apparatus for advancing aline of pottery molds along a generally horizontal path wherein clay is formed Aon the molds u into articles of pottery, aplurality' of clay discharge nozzles 'through which clay may be fed,V vclay passages for the several nozzles extending back to inlets removed therefrom, means for supplying clay under controlled pressure to the inlet of a selected passage, each nozzle being above the particular path of travel of the molds and adapted selectively to feed clay charges to successive molds moving in `said path, and means for each nozzle for controlling the size or weight of successive charges fed therefrom. ,y

59. An apparatus for feeding clay charges to a single line of pottery ware molds `which comprises', in combination, 'a plurality of feeders each having a discharge orifice superimposed relativeto said line of molds, means operable to substitute the feed throughone discharge orifice for the feed through another discharge oriiice to the line of molds, means for segregating clay charges associated with said discharge outlets and mechanism by means of which the volume contained in the chargesof clay may be varied.

60. An apparatus for 4feeding claycharges including a plurality of feeders arranged on a. come mon support, means for alternating the feeders at the working position and means for varying the size and volume of the charges.

61. In combination, an apparatus for feeders arranged on a common support, means for alternating the feeders at a mold* charging intoarticles of pottery, a plurality of clay discharge nozzles through which clay `may be fed, clay passages for the several nozzles extending back to inlets removed therefrom. means for sup- -moids in succession to the charging posi-tion, means for varying` the size and volume of the charges anda conveyor for transporting position.

J. MILLER. Y

severance of charges fed feeding clay charges to molds including a plurality of 

